A Brief Word

We are writing this copy in early November, and of course by the
time you see it, we will be approaching Christmas. For us
'flatlanders' out here in Ioway, that means we are in the
season for cold weather, snow and ice. This year, ye olde Reflector
finally smartened up a little. We decided which engines we want to
work on this winter, and already have them in the shop. That makes
a lot more sense than trying to move them in the snow and cold! In
fact, we've got several choices this winter - a nice 6 HP ZC
Fairbanks with generator flywheels, a 5 HP Hallett diesel (fairly
scarce), and a beautiful 6 HP Lister diesel. Then there's a
Bamford 6 HP diesel, just in case we run out of things to do.

We acquired the Hallett a few years ago. This engine never did a
day's work and is in pristine condition. We look forward to
mounting it on trucks and getting it ready to show. The Lister
needs only minor work prior to repainting, etc. A few years ago it
got a new sleeve and piston, along with some other work, so it runs
very nicely. Oh yeah, then there's the Model 31 Linotype we
just bought. A few of you are familiar with these machines, and
most of you know by now that ye olde Reflector is also into
old-time letterpress printing. Anyway, we bought the Model 31
really cheap, but the poor thing has sat for years and has lots of
rust, crud and bird manure (plus even a few feathers), so it will
be an interesting challenge getting it back into condition. That
should be more than enough to keep us busy during the cold winter
months!

Plans still keep moving forward on a tour to Germany and
Switzerland for next July (see our advertisement elsewhere in this
issue). We've already made some changes that will enhance the
tour, and hopefully some of you folks will be inclined to board an
aircraft once again. We're even hoping to include one of those
'Knight's Dinners' that go back to ancient times. There
are no forks - you eat with your hands just like they did in the
Middle Ages! We realize that has nothing at all to do with engines
and/or tractors, but it seems like a fun thing to do, if only
once.

Our first inquiry this month is:

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37/1/1:Foos Mfg. Company Q: See the photos of a
Scientific engine from The Foos Mfg. Co., Springfield, Ohio. It is
style 300, size 10. I have been told that neither Foos Mfg. Co. nor
the Foos Gasoline Engine Co. actually built this engine, but that
perhaps it was built by Bauroth. There are missing parts, but I
have restored the engine to run with a spark plug. If anyone can
provide any information about this engine, I would like to hear
from them. Also, I would like to hear from any other owners of the
Scientific engines. You may write to me, but since I am totally
blind I would prefer if I could talk to you. You can call me at
(845) 855-9026. Tim Casson, 63 River Road, Pawling, NY 12564

A: We've never found much information on
Bauroth, but this could be a possibility. Foos Mfg. Co. was
established in 1878. A 1905 listing indicates that Scientific feed
mills and other machinery was available from this firm. However, a
very poor illustration shows a vertical engine. Can anyone supply
further information on the engine shown here?

37/1/2:Stover Engine Q: I have been a
shade-tree mechanic all my life and enjoy restoring antique cars.
Recently, I acquired a Stover 2-1/2 HP hit-and-miss engine and have
it running. I would like to know the color scheme for this engine.
Bob Wolf, 30 Highland Woods Blvd., Highland Mills, NY 10930.
E-mail: rcwolf@frontiernet.net.

A: Early Stover engines prior to s/n 80000 are
red, comparable to DuPont 34423 or 2564 Red. After that they were a
dark muddy green, DuPont 2015. The latest CT engines were green
comparable to DuPont GS188.

37/1/3:Spence Smith Engine? Q: See the photos
of an engine for which we would like to find more information. On
both sides of the base is cast: Spence Smith Kootz, Parkersburg,
West Virginia. It was set up to run on propane. Can anyone give any
information on this engine? Elmer Fry, 2102 Cabintown Rd.,
Bloomington, IL 61701.

37/1/4: Lauson Engine Questions Kevin
McWhorter, 32391 Olympia Rd., Minier, IL 61759 has a 3-1/2 HP
Lauson from John Lauson Co., New Holstein, Wis. It is s/n WB62383.
He would like to know the correct color and when it was built. This
engine has solid flywheels. Another Lauson, this one 4-1/2 HP, has
s/n 8194 and is Type F, Size AC. The same information is needed for
this engine. Kevin would also like to know the meaning of the Type
and Size codes. We have no information on Lauson paint colors or
striping arrangement, and we don't believe that any serial
number information exists. Can anyone be of help?

37/1/5: Associated Engines Q: I am 13 years old
and need some help. I have a 2 HP Associated engine and would like
to know what year it was made and what specific style it is. I
would also like to know the color scheme. I have run into others
who don't know the year or style of Associated engines, and I
wonder if there is an Associated registry. In time I will complete
a book of existing engines and make this available to anyone
wishing a copy. If interested, send me the year, serial number, HP,
style and a picture (if possible) to: Courtney Bell, 20470 S.
Sprague Rd., Oregon City, OR 97045.

A: Associated engines are red, comparable to
DuPont 2622. The cylinder and head are painted silver. This was
probably done to help radiate the heat. We're not too sure this
was effective, but the combination makes for a very attractive
engine. So far as style is concerned, Associated was not too keen
on these things. Engines were generally water-cooled, plus a very
few air-cooled styles.

37/1/6: A Few Questions Frank Kuehl, 724
Congress St., Neenah, WI 54956 asks if anyone still makes
nameplates of the old style with raised letters, raised border, and
filled in with a black background. Also, see the pictures of a
device from Schaeffer & Budenberg Company of New York. I have
been told that it was used to set the valves on large stationary
steam engines. Any information on either of these questions would
be greatly appreciated, especially as concerns the photographs and
as to how this device was used.

37/1/7: Question Answered In the June 2001 GEM
(36/6/7) I inquired about a small tractor. Thanks to all those who
have responded. By sheer luck, a tractor like mine was found in
Louisiana and the new owner was kind enough to share his
information and operator's manual. We now understand that these
tractors were built by the U.S. government for shipment overseas.
The service manual notes that this tractor is a Model USF built by
United Steel Fabricators of Orville, Ohio. However, USF was a
subsidiary of Crown Steel Co. of Wooster, Ohio. This company is
still in business, and Jim Scott at the firm was able to share
information and photos on the tractor.

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These tractors were originally designed and built by Tiger
Tractor Co. in Grafton, W.V. Tiger Tractor was bought out by USF
and merged with Crown Steel. Only about 250 of these tractors were
built, along with many different implements such as sickle mowers,
belly mowers, push blades and the like. If anyone has any
information on the Tiger tractor, USF, Crown Steel, or knows of any
of the implements, I would like to hear from you. Joe Guidry, 3543
Joan St., Lake Charles, LA 70605-1109.

37/1/8: Unknown Engine Norman Merrill, 5220
Rocky Ridge Rd., Placerville, CA 95667, sends two photos of an
unknown engine. Someone told me it was a One Minute Engine as shown
on page 363 of American Gas Engines. It is close, but my engine is
4-cycle with a cam that operates the intake and exhaust valves.
There is also a teardrop cam that operates the ignition. A s/n of
562 is stamped on the engine, but there are no other identifying
marks. If you can be of help, contact Norman at the address listed
at the beginning of this post.

37/1/9: Log Splitter Q: See the photos of a
D.A. Green log splitter. I would like to find any information I can
use on this piece, and would like to hear from anyone who might be
able to help. R. L. Hullfish, 15 Cold Soil Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ
08648.

A: We have no information at all on this
company, but we know that several firms built log splitters of
similar design. Somehow or other we have the feeling that these
machines were more than a little dangerous to use.

37/1/10: Hercules/Log Splitter Q: I have a
Hercules 12 HP engine that was converted into a. log splitter. They
threw away the head, the water hopper and all the valve gear. The
tag reads: Champion; Mfd. For Lininger Implement Co., Omaha,
Nebraska. Can you provide any information on Lininger? Kevin O.
Pulver, 401 S. Smith, Keresaw, NE 68956.

A:Lininger was a major Midwestern distributor
of farm implements. They handled many different products and
numerous makes of everything from buggies to threshing machines.
Large jobbing houses like Lininger oftentimes ordered a batch of
engines, for instance, and perhaps even had them finished in a
color different than the Hercules you note in your letter. Then
they attached their own nameplate. This not only was free
advertising, but also provided a linkage when repair parts were
needed. It's a shame that so many of the parts were thrown
away!

37/1/11: Wisconsin Engines Frank Weber, 10600
SE 52nd, Milwaukie, OR 97222 sends a photo of a recently acquired
Wisconsin 4-cylinder inline, air-cooled engine. It is Model AM4,
s/n 103434. He is looking for any service information on this
engine, or anything showing applications for it. Frank reports that
this engine came with a clutch and a tall air-intake tower. If you
can be of any help, it would certainly be appreciated.

A Closing Word

We're very pleased that so many of you sent photos along
with your inquiries. That is always very helpful to our readers.
Sometimes one can get a clue from looking at a photo much easier
than from our sometimes stilted verbiage in trying to explain
something. We look forward to your queries. We're always happy
to help when we can, or at least pass the question along so that
someone in engine land can be of help.

You'll get this copy in early December, just in time for us
to wish each of you a Joyous Christmas Season and a Happy New Year.
Meanwhile, we have to get busy setting the type and printing our
annual Christmas card. It's always fun to do this, but for some
reason, we always put it off until the last minute. We'll see
you next month!

C.H. Wendel is a noted authority on antique engines and
tractors. His books constitute a vital reference resource for
collectors and hobbyists. If you have a question for C.H. Wendel,
send it along to Gas Engine Magazine, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS
66609-1265.